Loop picker



C. M. FULLER Jan, l1, 1949.

LOOP-PICKER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 9, 1947 aim-Rumi 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C. M. FULLER Jan. 11, 1949.

LOOP-PICKER Filed OCT.. 9, 1947 Patented Jan. 11, 1949 I LOOP PICKER Clarence M. Fuller, Warwick, R. I., assignor to Holbrook Raw Hide Co., Providence, R. I., a corporation of Rhode Island Application October 9, 1947, Serial No. 778,875

9 Claims. l

This invention relates to a novel and improved construction of loop-picker for use in textile looms. f

One object of the invention is to provide a loop-picker of strong and ruggedy construction adapted to cushion the shock from the impact of the shuttle and prevent damage to the pickerstick While minimizing wear and providing maximum durability for long periods of use.

Another object is to provide a loop-picker constructed from several different materials arranged in a novel and ingenious manner to prevent splitting, spreading and bulging at its sides liable to cause wear on or damage to the shuttle- `box in the loom.

Another object is to provide a novel construction of loop-picker having a continuous strap looped around a hard block and riveted theretov to prevent it from becoming loose to allow the picker to twist or be otherwise displaced from proper position on the picker-stick.

Another object is to provide an improved looppicker having the ends of the rivets protected to prevent them from abrading the sides of the shuttle-box in the loom and also secured against becoming loose and falling out to damage rother parts of the loom.

Another object is to provide an improved construction of loop-picker having its contact end protected by alibllow cap enclosing the body or coreA of the picker to prevent the latterv from spreading or bulging to chafe the sides of the shuttle-box or to jam therein.

Another object is to provide an improved construction of loop-picker having a relatively hard, substantially solid block arranged to bear against the face of the picker-stick flush therewith to prevent the picker from twisting thereon or from wearing into the grain of the wood.

Another object is to provide an improved looppicker that may be used at either end of the loom to overcome the disadvantages of requiring separate rightand left-hand units.

l Further objects rof the improvement `are set forth in the following specification which describes several preferred forms of construction of my improved loop-picker as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of the improved picker;

Fig. 2J is a longitudinal sectional view of the same taken in a median vertical plane;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the picker;

Fig. 4 is a sectionalplan view of the same taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the core of the picker taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form of construction of the picker showing it enclosed by a metal sheath; t

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the picker shown in Fig. 6 taken in a median `vertical plane; l

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the picker shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 91s a transverse sectional view of the `same taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of theforward end of then-picker shown in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 11 is a rearward end view of the same. y

Heretofore it has been the usual practice to construct loop-pickers from leather or laminations of textile fabric bonded together with rubber compound. Leather pickers are liable to split or spread causing them Ito expand or swell laterally to bind in the shuttle-box and cause damage thereto, sometimes jamming therein and throwing the shuttle out of the loom. Such pickers also have the disadvantage of twisting on the picker-stick due to their backing being too soft to hold them in rigid connectionv therewith.

Rubber pickers have the same faults mentioned above and are also affected by heat generated by suction developed as the shuttle-nose enters the picker; the heat rendering them soft and flexiblel and thus subject to rapid deterioration.`

The usual metal rivets :in leather and fabric pickers are liable to become loose, due to the softness of the picker material, so that their ends project at the sides'to abrade and damage' `thel sides of the shuttle-box and frequently the rivets become loose and drop out to damage vother parts of the loom. Leather and fabric pickers `must be made rightand left-hand due to the fact that the lap in the loop is on the weakeroutward side and therefore must be properlyre'- lated to the shuttle-box. l

In some instances loop-pickers have been constructed from all rawhide or a combination ofy rawhide and fabric, but in such constructions the core is so hard that it cannot cushion the im' pact or blow of the shuttle, thereby causing gouging of the picker-stick so that the picker becomes loose and cannot function efliciently.

To overcome the above and other defects and deficiencies i'n previously-used picker constructions I have provided a novel and ingenious form of loop-picker having its body or core composedl of laminationsof several different materials arranged in abutting relation to a` substantially solid block for engaging the face of the pickerstick with the head or core of the picker protected from spreading or expanding by being enclosed on all sides by a hollow cap of relatively hard material. 5 In the form of construction shown in Figs. l to 5 of thepresent drawings a hard, rigid block 2V, preferably; composed-. of laminatihs comprising relatively thick'strips 3 of hard rawhide",I is adapted to abut the forward face of the picker-stick (not herein shown) to prevent the picker froni twisting or turning on the stick. The picker ist connected to the stick by means of a loop 5 which may be made of a continu'onsiertl of" leather to prevent it from being plie'aparrorsepal; rated. The loop 5 is looped around the block 2` and fastened to its side byfnieans .o'fitwhfusteelpins 6, 6 having their ends riveted throllgvhthe sides of the cap 'I which encloses the" coreo'Ak the picker. k

The-3 cap 'l isiL coristriictedl'lof" hardf rawhide noirldedtirr hollow boX-likefrni under-compres siitofr-thestrengthen*and solidify the Iateriale Thelclpfl eritir'ely'surreinds allffour-sidesof the core of theLp-ieker"andislieldiland reing5 fdr-ced btheriifets tofprev'entiany lateral-ier;- parisieno'f-`-tl1` 'evcore.j Preferably, the-sides ofthe cap 1 are recessed at 8 and 9, see Figs. I; 4``-andx-5 t'ofim1-otwardlyproectiiigribs* I lli at to r'aiid bottom of the sides and a further rib I Ibetweentlietviio-rivetsf 6! In this"I Way 'tli'e head-sint the rivets Q are recessedZinwardlybeiweri the ribs anaipretectedthereby.tofprevera the ir ends -from rubbing againstthe* sides' off the-shuttlebox to insure'againstfdamaging thier-latter? Moreover, the-rivet's bein'g forcedfthrou'g'hth hard'lso'lid blockiai eictliallyrs'ecnred 'ga 'S't bc'dringf' lose lii'ldei sh'ockifor'j-btddablse@ heir? endsto p'ifest4L byondthlsi'ds oftl'iepckeflw d'nr` ag'-thesidesoftheishuttl-lbx.

BetWeen-the-endof the apiciy andg the lsideofff' the? stick-"contactblo'ckf i a'reliafl plurality off inser-tsi comprising av co'inbiriation.'v of dierentimaterials;=- ea'chudesig'nedifori ai particular-pur' pse.` Abuttingtl'ieii'er aceoflthel'e'nd'oftheg 4U' cap 'lisraf'jstri'p I:()f'fai'd 'iilliide-,-Y tli'is insert cooperaxingl'with thefenel-offtl'iefcapto Italie"- the weavoff'thesteeleshodpint off-the shuttle. Thel next sor f secondi insert I 3'1lxriae5rv be? of ifsofterf' r we hidefo'. leather-.reprenne more ofnafeusjni and the thirddiiseii'l45isprefeablyfhrderyl#l hideeagairr forzwear resist'ance':- t iseto be2-partieularlyrnhted"y thatithe's'e-insert's' or1 laminae" |12? Iii-andi: NIS* eidzerrd-A laterallyA acrbss the 'picker in;iotherzwovds,-1,they`V areA disposedfatright-'an es?y on` perpendicnlarly" tot'. theraxis-1 off the slfnttle` 'Iherthreesinserts 12; I`3and=l4a`re rather loosely? heldswithinthe cap', 11' to provide'? a .fnllfioatin'garrangement :sof that: theyl. may contract under?` thegx impact, from` the f blow.' offftheishutt-leas 1 it strikes rthes picker, ,andfithen-:expandagai' with-af cushioning elect. As willibe-fohservedfbyrefer ence: torFige Llcof :thednawin'gsethefthirdf 'or imi'er insertI I4@ Iabuisthe inneiaerrdcof lthefloop 5izwhficrrf surrounds; the block 2 andi betweemthisne'ndrof'f: thenloop ansiatherbloclr.l 2i Irpreferably1` provide? a: strip.: of` resilient? material I-5L such assoiit`A rub-rbcnztocactias:raicushionvor shockf-absorler for: re"-` lievirrgithla-r blowr` 'of'ftlier blocln againstfthe: stickz ReferringirtoE-igs: 1:to;3:of zthe drawings, the contacttend-f of the: pieken `is?"` providedsf with A the? usual: conical. a recess or socket'r I Irf'oc receiving thefmetafl-shod endloli i thei shiattle and 'thef :angle: or;darei-ot?thissrecessiisrpreferablyegreater-tiranY tlertaperrof'f the -znoses oi'the; ksliut'tle'e tof. provide.

iny

that the terminal point of the nose will engage against the last hard rawhide insert It to take the impact, Consequently, the steel shoe or nose of the shuttle will not have a tendency to compress and spread the material of the inserts to any great extent. Furthermore, there will be less tendency to generate heat due to suction.

AAsi-lo'eoreriotedfall the several inserts I2, I3, I4 and"I5,' as well asthe en'dof the leather loop 5 are disposed crosswise or transversely in lateral relationship in the core of the picker as distinguished from the usual arrangement in which the inserts or laminations extend longitudinally of thepicker: Inprevious constructions, therefore,

asltl'epointofthe,shuttle enters the end of the pickerit has a tendency to separate and spread 'the laminations thus causing the body of the pickerrto. expand laterally and thereby unfit it fo'ieicierit operation after it has been in use for a short period of time. With my present imiiiiolyeclfr construction 'f the blow'`l or the shuttle is taken" at'irght-angles-'or 'perpendieularly to the direction of its impact, that is on the aeeinstead'- o'f ``the'-"ed'ges of-y the inserts, andconsequently ther-'elvisntf-tendency to spread or split-the'core to canse-the picker to expand` or bulge at its sides? Referrihgiriow 1go-Figs; 6-5 to -l-l' of the present drawings, amodiedhforrn ofthepicker is `therein illustrateddnvlving'furtherimprovement-as next explaiied Ifn general,- th'ecore `ofthe picker shown ih'Figs'; Bto'lfl is similar to that illus'- tratediinrFigSi' 1l to 51' The body or core ofthe picke'r maycoin-prise a solid stick-contact' bloclc 20 enclosed Within the rearward en'd'fot the hard rawhide-capi 2l andfastened inplacet by two rivets 2-2ffhddfover at'-their ends. The loop 23\i isi constituted i as la continuous leatherstrap encirclihg3'the`fbloel'20 and heldito its sides by the ri'v'et's 22as7previouslyf described. Betnfeenthe. loopedv end oith'lstrap-Zandtheblock Eillis a. st'x'ipZ'll'oj rubber,- relativelysoftleathe'r or vother resilient*rhaterialfand between'th'e endo the cap ndthiendolthe'floop are three laminae 'simin noti uridere'dmpressiqn; so that they may expand and contract more orf less under the impactof thefshnttlerf As is 'the usual 'arrangement Vay tapering'fo'r conical socket 28`- is provided 'at the endof' and light'riessfin weight anda metal blank may le'shapedrin diesz to' forni-an oblong` box conformirigto'theishapeof the pickerl itself.v That' is to say,v4 theish'eath" or casing 30 may-be construted fronra single strip of sheet-metal drawn 7 0" up to provide continuous side's; except for openings 3'1' and'-32"'atfth`e top and bottomwhiehprovide for their'sertin of thepicker-stick` therethrough. .'Statedfrnore specifically, the sheath or casing' Biliis'off'hollwibox=1ike:fornr with its top and bottom walls cut away forithe'sopenirigsl3l'a and 32 on opposite sides of the loop 23;` having continuous end wall 33; continuous side walls 34,"

swelled outwardly at the fore part to enclose the cap 2|; and relatively narrow marginal portions of the metal 35 and 36 folded inwardly 'at the forward corners ofthe cap and .meeting in vmortised `ioints which may be soldered or welded as desired.

The rectangular opening 3l in the bottom lwallA of the sheath 30, see Fig. '7, and the opening 32 in the upper or top wall are slightly larger than' 23 are relatively narrow'so that theiredges'vwill not project beyond the edges of the leather strap. The Ypurpose of this oisetting ofthe edges' of the metal around the openings 3| and 32 is to insure against any chance that the sharp edgesfof the metal might cut into the 'sides of the stick.` 'r

Itv will be observed from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides -an especially strong, rugged and durable picker having many advantages as now set forth. First, my improved construction of the picker permits it to be manufactured in one formonly to render it capable of interchangeable use at either end of the loom. Secondly, the strap or loop for holding the picker on the stick is continuousto prevent it pulling away or ing the picker to twist or sag on` the stickfand prevent its proper operative relation to th-shut; tle. As another advantage, the hard solidblock which abuts the face of Kthe stick provides a rlrm bearing thereon to prevent twisting or rocking `of the picker and further insure= its prop erpo'sitioning with respect to the shuttle. The hard continuous cap which completely encloses ythe body or core of the picker augments its strength and extends its durability -by preventing expansion or swelling of the core. The recessing of the ends of the rivets as shown in the rst form of construction, Figs. 1 to 5, or the covering of their ends by the metal sheath or shell, prevents scoring or abrading the sides of the shuttle-box when the picker is in use in the loom.

The full floating arrangement of the laterallyextending inserts at the front or working end of the picker is of paramount advantage: the rawhide inserts provide a hard, wear-resisting contact surface for the metal shoe of the shuttle; the softer rawhide or leather insert furnishes a resilient cushion to take the shock of the shuttle impact, and this cushioning eifect is further augmented by the rubber insert abutting the forward face of the stick-contact block. In this way, the picker-stick is relieved of the shock and saved from wear and splintering or gouging of the wood, and as a further advantage the shock is absorbed to prevent the shuttle from rebounding from the picker. In other types of pickers where the contact end is of leather, or fabric impregnated with rubber, the shuttle is .prone to rebound from the picker and consequently when the picker is actuated to throw the shuttle it will strike the latter with a sharp blow. and cause greater wear on the parts. By thus preventing rebound of the shuttle the springs in the shuttlebox 4can be adjusted to relatively light contact therewith to reduce the wear on its sides. It is believed that these and other advantages of the' present construction make fora very considerable improvement in loop-pickers of this type, par` That is to say, the por# l arrangement-of 'the parts ofthe device without loosening and thereby allow# ticularly for use 1'in high-speed loomsy now in wide use for increasing production.

The metal sheath encasing all parts of the picker,including its loop, has several advantages. First, it reinforces the whole structure against splitting, spreadingl or rupturing and further it preventsthebersof the rawhide andleather from'ruirlng up andbat'chirlg lint or bits of yarn in the loom, presenting a smooth polished surface to reducethe friction between the v picker and other parts of the loom.`

While tl'ie'f improvement is herein described and illustrated as embodied in two vpreferred forms of construction, it is to be understood that further modifications may be `made in the structure and threfrom'to attachit to lthe 'pickerwstickV a plu- .rality of inserts consisting in strips'of alternate hardrand soft material extending transversely of the core forwardly of the block, and a boxlike capof animal hide enclosing the front and four sides ofthe core with the inserts contained therej in in full' floating arrangement'.

2. Aloopepicker"comprising a multi-'section coreconsisting infa hard block of rawhide, a

continuous loop'extending around the core" and riveted to its sides,van insert ofqresilient material between the end of thelcop and the rawhide block, a box-like cap enclosing the front and foursidesofA the core, and a plurality of inserts offalte'rnate hardand soft Lmaterialv disposed transversely ofthe core in yfree oating' arrangement between theend of the cap and thev end of the loop.

3. A loop-picker constructed with a composite core comprising a hard block of rawhide adapted to contact the face of a picker-stick, a continuous loop extending around the core and projecting therebeyond for attachment to a picker-stick, a hard rawhide box-likev cap surrounding the front and four sides of the core, pins insertedthrough the sides of the cap', the sides of the loop and frictionally held in the contact-block, of strip-like inserts of alternately hard and soft rawhide extending laterally across the core in laminated full floating arrangement between the end ofthe cap and the inner end of the loop.

4. A loop-picker constructed withv a laminated core comprising a block composed of strips of hard rawhide, said core adapted' to Contact the face of a picker-stick, a loop consisting in a leather strap looped around the block and eX- tending rearwardly therefrom for holding theA picker to the stick, an insert of resilient material between the forward end of the loop and the forward face of the block, a box-like cap of hard rawhide enclosing the front and four sides of the core, rivets connecting the cap to the loop and block, and a plurality of and soft rawhide held in free-loating relationship within .the capy between its end and the end of the loop.

5. Aloop-'picker constructed with a composite core comprising a hard block of animal hide shaped to contact the face of a picker-stick, a strap looped around the block and extending rearwardly therefrom for engagement around a picker-stick, a cap enclosing the end and sides and a plurality inserts of alternate hard misnomer onthereore with @plurality oninsertsxtendingf: transversely withinrits:zinterorebetween fss elldzr:7 andi the end of the. .'loopasaid capL formed with projecting ribs gonzitsffsides;` and :pinsyinserted throughthesides of the eap,;the1si des ofnthafstrap 3 5% and the block with their; vendsiheac1eioverWithin recesses between the ribs on agthe :sidesl of; the cap.l

6.; A 'loop-picker constructed with a `composita;

corergcomprising -a rectangular: loloclrffxA harde rawhide shaped to, Contact: thegface-of iahpioker` n10s stick, a strap loopedaroundjthe bloek'andgexr tending rearwardly therefrom-for attachinggthe Dicker. to the stick,-nan insert ofrubberv between the inner end ofY the strapand-thebloekyaiboxf like; reap enclosing one end :and :the sides gof' the? 15 corea rivets-1fextendingethrough the4 sidesqofo-the f;

cap,;the sides ,of l the strap and thefbloekfand-a plurality of inserts held inffloating;` arrangementil within the forward part of the bonbetween:its;-v

closed end andthe endofftheistrap,f'twof;ofiaid 20A inserts, being of hardrawhide Yseparated ibyfa third insertoilsofter materials l '7. A loopfpieler constructed -gwitha 'composite core 4comprising a hard f Jolock-4I of- "animal-hide r shaped `Vto Contact' the forward bface of-:ga pickerrf- 25 stiekf.; a flexible; strap `looped faroundgi-.he` block, t. a cap of *hard animal-hide enclosing one end and the: 1 sides of 1 the l oo1,e',:. pins extending.l :through: the eore` and strapand riveted through'ethe;sidesof the cap, a plurality 'of-inserts of-falte'rnate` -30 hard and soft` material ,n held. gin floating arrangement` betweenn the end of: the can and the:.endeoifxr the swan-,and a metal casing enclosing .thencores and `the f loop ;on Vall t sides: witlfioopenings`v .fatetop z and bottom-rfor-tinsertinioir-the` `stick :theree 35;

1 through;r f

8.1 A loop-picker constructed with; a icomposite:

core-comprising a hard block-roffanimal/hidez shaped -ito contactthe v'foltllard :face: :oiga picker Sikxga :fexblefestrap: loopedwzaround f thew block,` a man; off` hard efrawhidef` v ,enclosing one. Y end l and z the ,sidesv-fofrthe core, pins extending through jthe corerand,` riveted :through the-sides ofl the cap,

a ,pluralityp inserts of alternate -hardand soit materialfrheld` in floating arrangement between Y the end -of the: cap andthe Iend ofv the strap, and a metal-.casingfenclosing theA core` and the Yloop on.-;a11;;sides `wi-tir:openings atv top andebottom forf insertion i; of i thee-sticktherethrough; said casing fhavingzportons' folded overthe vcorners at therrontr offthe, cap to lpermanently :secure it in place onrtheepicker; .Y f; f

l 9.A10opfpikerfcomprising, "a multi-part core consisting ina ,.hard [block of animal hide shaped t toificontaotfthe. -face` of a -fpicker-stick; a` loop fas--V tened--to.-,said; block ande-extending rearwardly. thenefrom-to rattaohgwthe picker Yto the lpiekerstick, a plurality of inserts' consisting in sections of alternately yhardA and softmaterial overlying the forward end o f the!blockftransverselyzthere#- oL-fandimeans-fort retainingi said 'inserts ein' 'place CLARENC'EJMsFULLER; t

REFERENCES., oiren i Thetfollowing referencesrare of record inthe 19,728.1# Great zBritain. Nov. "2, V1892y 

